Project CLOUD - Comprehensive Landscape Observation via Unmanned Drone
Quadcopters can be used for several scientific applications including: aerial surveys, reef mapping, restoration timelapse, and education outreach.
Aerial mapping of coral reef ecosystems has been consistently highlighted as a priority for research, leading to the development of many remote sensing and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies. In support of ongoing monitoring and experimental work at St. Lucie Reef in Southeast Florida, the Voss Lab at FAU Harbor Branch acquired a DJI Inspire 1 aerial quadcopter for high definition imaging of freshwater discharge events in the St. Lucie Inlet and adjacent reef areas. Recognizing the versatility of this UAV platform, we have expanded beyond freshwater tracking and completed georeferenced aerial surveys in 5 discrete habitat types: salt marsh, oyster reefs, dragline ditch restoration sites, estuary/inlets, and coral reefs. In addition to the data generation capacity of UAVs, we’ve expanded use of video and storytelling to expand the education outreach and impact of our research.
To date we have successfully completed 6 outreach videos which have been posted on YouTube and distributed through social media, ultimately generating more than 15,000 online views. These videos have capture media attention and influenced passage of three bills in the 2017 Florida Congressional session designed to help improve water quality on coral reefs in South Florida. Similarly, one of these videos has been used by Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to support a proposed expansion of the sanctuary boundaries off the coast of Texas. To see our completed videos, visit our YouTube page or see the embedded videos below. You can also learn about what has worked best for us in UAV operations and imaging by reading through our Annual report and best practices document or visit our Github repository.
To date we have successfully completed 6 outreach videos which have been posted on YouTube and distributed through social media, ultimately generating more than 15,000 online views. These videos have capture media attention and influenced passage of three bills in the 2017 Florida Congressional session designed to help improve water quality on coral reefs in South Florida. Similarly, one of these videos has been used by Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary to support a proposed expansion of the sanctuary boundaries off the coast of Texas. To see our completed videos, visit our YouTube page or see the embedded videos below. You can also learn about what has worked best for us in UAV operations and imaging by reading through our Annual report and best practices document or visit our Github repository.
Youtube: Voss Lab at FAU Harbor Branch
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A timeline of photomosaic maps from a FWC-led salt marsh restoration project in New Smyrna Beach, FL. Each map consists of 15-20 merged photos taken from an altitude of 400ft.
HBOI Team: Joshua Voss, Michael Studivan*
Partners: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Jeff Beal), St. Lucie Inlet State Park (Charles Jabaly)
Funding: Harbor Branch Foundation
* Denotes lab alumnus
Partners: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Jeff Beal), St. Lucie Inlet State Park (Charles Jabaly)
Funding: Harbor Branch Foundation
* Denotes lab alumnus
